The Lagos State Government says it is working to achieve between 90 and 95 per cent success in flood control before the 2027 rainy season through investments in resilient infrastructure and sustained drainage maintenance.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this on Saturday during an inspection of projects and disputed sites in Oregun, Surulere and Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi.

Wahab said the state had recorded between 75 and 80 per cent success in managing flooding in recent years but was intensifying efforts to improve the figure.

He explained that the government was strengthening drainage infrastructure and deploying the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang to maintain waterways throughout the year.

The commissioner, however, noted that achieving complete elimination of flooding was unrealistic because of Lagos' coastal location, tidal movements, heavy rainfall and rising sea levels.

He urged residents not to panic when flash flooding occurred, explaining that water in affected areas would usually recede within one or two hours as drainage systems discharged the accumulated stormwater.

Wahab also highlighted the government's environmental policies, including restrictions on Styrofoam and efforts to phase out single-use plastics, as part of measures to prevent waste from blocking drainage channels.

He advised residents to remain hydrated amid unusually high temperatures associated with the El Niño season, noting that changing weather conditions were part of wider climate patterns.

On the inspection exercise, the commissioner said the ministry was responding to complaints involving alleged encroachment on government drainage channels and private properties.

At the Oregun Mixed-Use Scheme, he said the government had directed mechanics occupying land belonging to property owners and encroaching on the natural System One drainage route to vacate the affected area.

He added that the ministry had assured the property owners that their approved land titles and Certificates of Occupancy remained valid.

In Surulere, Wahab said investigations into allegations that construction by the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation had encroached on a drainage channel's right-of-way found no violation after physical measurements were conducted in the presence of stakeholders.

He also confirmed that a culvert constructed for the development complied with the approved design.

At Osborne Foreshore Estate in Ikoyi, the commissioner said repeated inspections had established that the drainage structure under investigation did not encroach on the government's drainage alignment.

He advised stakeholders against removing the culvert, explaining that it had been installed for safety reasons, while confirming that nearby high-tension cables were unaffected.

The inspection also covered the disputed Abba Court development on Mahogany Close, involving Kenshad International Limited, following residents' concerns about construction near electricity lines and alleged obstruction of drainage outlets.

The developer had denied deliberately obstructing government officials during an earlier inspection and rejected allegations of violating planning regulations or blocking the drainage channel.

Wahab reiterated the government's commitment to protecting drainage infrastructure and addressing developments that could increase flood risks across the state.